Pool/Swim Bag

I love this project so much. It was meant to be. I have needed a giant swim bag for a long time. When we go to the pool we have so much stuff: goggles, towels, sunscreen, water, snacks, swim diapers, clothes, keys, phone, money/wallet, etc. I have been using a huge Ikea bag where everything just goes to the bottom where I have to search forever to find it. So, I needed a big bag (to fit at least 5 towels + other stuff). I LOVE pockets, so I want t pocket for everything.

I got this fabric (2 yards) for $4.00 and used every bit of it, plus some scraps from other projects.

 I put in small handles and long straps for multiple ways to carry the bag. There are side pockets on both sides on the outside (they are huge). I also put in some boning (okay, they were old metal hangers) in the bias I sewed to each corner for some stability.

 Have you seen the infomercial for the Kangaroo Keeper? It is so brilliant. The lady stuffs a whole pile of stuff into a tiny purse using this implement to organize everything into pockets. This is what I wanted. I put loops on one side for water bottles, sunscreen, etc. One side has little pockets for keys, cell, sunglasses. Then there are still two other smallish pockets for goggles, snacks, wallet, etc.

 Then still plenty of room for towels and whatever else we might need. I reinforced the bottom with some heavy cardboard wrapped in duct tape (for waterproofing). It is super sturdy. Maybe a little too structured? Not sure yet.

It really is huge, but I think it turned out okay. I guess by the end of the summer I will have figured out what changes I should've made.
What bag do you take to the pool? Do you have the same frustrations as I do? Do you have a bag that you love?

Dry erase board countdown (teacher gift)

Spring felt blossoms branch

 I wanted a wreath for my front door, but most home decor stuff I do myself with stuff I have around. So I made these little blossoms with white felt and glued them onto a branch. Some green leaves and a little "spring" banner and hung it on the door. I like the finished project.

"Y"

I LOVED this project!

I have a friend who recently had a baby and for her shower she assigned everyone a letter of the alphabet, so that she could display the alphabet on the nursery wall. The idea that each letter would be different and representative on the person who made/brought it.

I got "Y". I thought of lots of different ways I could make a "Y", this is what I settled on.

I went through my paper scraps (I save almost all scraps) and cut tiny lengths of all the favorites. It was so fun to go through. I found paper that Liam's baby book was made from (actually, this is for my friends baby whom they named, Liam!), paper given to my by my father, SIL, husband, sister, paper I have had since I was ten, paper printed by my father on his press, and lots more. So fun to acknowledge the significance of each piece.

 I overlapped them over a "Y" shape that I had traced.

 Then put a white piece of paper over the top to make a crisp edge.

Then put it in a frame made by my brother. I hope that she loves it and that it goes good with the other letters of the alphabet in little Liam's nursery.

The Lydia skirt...for Kai'a

When I was in Hawaii I promised Kai'a I would make her a skirt. So, I made her one based on this skirt I made for Lydia. I am so glad that it fit...perfectly! Miracle!
I did take pictures along the way, hoping to do a tutorial, but there are still so many kinks that I don't know if the tutorial would be helpful.

reversable baby skirt

Made big sister a skirt, so wanted a matching one for baby sister. Decided to make it reversable. Not my best work, but it looks adorable on Finley, so I am happy.

Stego-Pedaled Airscrew Helio Saurus drawing

My dad drew this awesome picture. Love it. Reminds me of a Miyazaki film.